ClickUp vs monday.com: Which is Best for Project Management in 2024?

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When evaluating ClickUp vs monday.com, it’ll likely be tough for businesses to choose between the two project management software. Both tools are popular and widely used, with ClickUp boasting over 10 million users as of October 2024, and monday.com having a smaller but growing number of 225,000 customers globally. This year, both platforms have introduced innovative AI features, aiming to enhance workflow automation and task management even further.

When deciding which platform is best for your business, it’s important to consider key factors like ease of use, pricing, customer support, and core features to understand how well it will fit your team and business goals. In this article, I’ll make it straightforward to compare these factors directly for monday.com and ClickUp. Whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise, this guide will help you choose between two excellent yet distinct tools.

ClickUp
monday.com
  • 10+ Project Views
  • Generous Free Plan
  • Powerful Workflow Automation

ClickUp vs monday.com Compared

Both ClickUp and monday.com bring a lot to the table with extensive project management capabilities, which is why both are so popular. However, they each have their different areas of strength. ClickUp tends to be a more flexible platform with extensive customization options, while monday.com is known for its intuitive interface, ease of use, an exceptional user experience (UX).

Here’s a quick comparison of the two based on key features, pricing, and functionality:

Providers ClickUp monday.com
Starting Price $7/user/month $12/user/month
Free Plan
Free Trial ✅ 14-day trial of pro plan
Central Dashboard
Pre-set Project Templates 1000+ 200+
Project Views Available Kanban, Gantt, Calendar, Timeline Kanban, Gantt, Calendar, Timeline
Custom Automation Rules
Customizable Reports and Dashboards
Custom Workflows and Statuses ✅ (Limited)
Real Time Commenting and Task Assignment
Mobile App
Native Integrations 46 37
Total Integrations 1,000+ 600+
AI Tools
Easy-to-Learn Interface 🟠 Medium 🟢 Very easy
Support 24/7 live chat, email, community support 24/7 live chat, request a call, email, community support
Read Review ClickUp Review monday.com Review

As well as in the review pages linked to above, you’ll find further information on monday.com and ClickUp on my comprehensive guide to the best project management software.

ClickUp vs monday Pricing Compared

Winner: ClickUp

While monday.com offers impressive features, ClickUp consistently provides the same functionality at a slightly lower price point, making it the more budget-friendly choice for teams looking to maximize value.

Before diving into specific features, let’s first take a look at the pricing plans of ClickUp vs monday.com.

Pricing Plans ClickUp monday.com
Free $0 $0
Starter $7/user/month $12/user/month
Standard $12/user/month $14/user/month
Pro N/A $24/user/month
Enterprise Custom pricing Custom pricing

ClickUp offers more affordable entry-level pricing, particularly with its competitive free-forever plan, which is ideal for small teams or solo users who want basic project management features without paying upfront. Although monday offers a free forever plan, too, it’s nowhere near as stacked as ClickUp’s.

The ClickUp free forever plan includes unlimited tasks, collaboration tools, and even 24/7 support, giving startups and freelancers excellent value for money without any financial commitment.

monday.com’s pricing also starts at a slightly higher ClickUp, with its Starter, Standard, and Pro plans offering additional features, including advanced automation and integrations, which are more suitable for businesses with larger teams or complex workflows.

To learn more about the software’s free offering, take a look at my dedicated guide to the best free project management software.

ClickUp vs monday.com Ease of Use

Winner: monday.com

If you’re looking for something simple and quick to set up, monday.com is the way to go. But if your team needs more flexibility and is willing to invest time in learning the ropes, ClickUp could be worth considering.

When it comes to ease of use, monday.com takes the lead. In my experience, it’s simply more intuitive and user-friendly right out of the gate. Its clean, visual layout makes navigating through tasks and projects effortless, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses, agencies, or remote work teams that need a tool that everyone can pick up fast, without a steep  learning curve.

ClickUp, on the other hand, offers a rich variety of customization options, which many teams will appreciate, but that flexibility comes with a more complex interface. While it’s certainly powerful, the abundance of features might feel overwhelming for some users, especially teams or businesses that don’t need that level of depth. I’d recommend ClickUp for teams that are comfortable with a bit of a learning curve and need a highly customizable platform for managing complex projects.

ClickUp vs monday.com Key Features

Winner: Monday.com (by a slight edge)

monday.com slightly edges out overall for its ease of use and powerful collaboration features, but if task customization and reporting are priorities for your business, ClickUp might be the better fit.

Both ClickUp and monday.com are versatile, top-tier project management tools, and it was hard for me to declare a winner when it came to their feature sets. Ultimately, it’s all about what features matter most to your team, so assess your needs carefully before making a choice.

Here’s a breakdown of the top six features:

Task and Workflow Management & Customization

ClickUp stands out here with its deep customization options. You can create tailored workflows, set custom statuses, and automate practically anything. It’s perfect for those who like to tweak every detail and get their system exactly right. For example, it gives you more control over customizing workflow automations and their triggers (basically: “if X happens then Y”) than monday.com does. It also gives you more control over project fields and the statuses not just of items but also of project folders and workspaces.

monday.com, while still solid, keeps things simpler. You can automate tasks and customize workflows, but it’s more about quick setups and ease of use. It’s ideal if you want to streamline processes without getting bogged down in too many settings.


Project Collaboration Features

For collaboration, I find monday.com more intuitive. It’s built to help teams communicate easily, with boards that show who’s responsible for what, and real-time data updates that keep everyone aligned. The simplicity of assigning tasks and tracking progress makes it a great tool for teams needing transparency.

ClickUp also has excellent collaboration tools, like real-time commenting and document sharing. However, the interface can feel a bit crowded, especially if you’re new to the platform.

Reporting Dashboards and Data Visualization

ClickUp is a winner if you need deep reporting. The customizable digital dashboards let you track everything—from project performance to time tracking—and it gives you full control over what data to visualize. If your team relies heavily on reports, you’ll love the flexibility here.

monday.com offers dashboards too, but they’re more high-level. You can track progress and performance, but there are fewer options to dive into detailed data. If you just need a decent project performance overview, monday.com does the job, but ClickUp is better for detailed reporting.

Budget Management Tools

monday.com has an edge in budget management. It offers customizable templates that make tracking budgets easy, whether you’re handling finances for a single project or multiple ones. You can automate reports and keep a close eye on your expenses without much effort.

ClickUp offers basic financial tracking through custom fields, but it doesn’t go as deep into budget management as monday.com. If budget tracking is a priority for you, monday.com is more specialized.

Resource Management Tools

ClickUp excels in resource management, giving you detailed tools for time tracking, workload management, and asset allocation. If you’re juggling multiple projects and need to manage resources efficiently, ClickUp is your go-to.

monday.com handles resource management too, but it’s more simplified. You can still track assets and manage workloads, but it’s not as in-depth as ClickUp.

Mobile App

If mobile usability is key for you, monday.com’s app is more intuitive. It’s easier to navigate than ClickUp’s and allows for real-time updates, making it perfect for teams working on the go. ClickUp’s mobile app has a lot of features, but it can feel overwhelming due to its complexity.

ClickUp vs monday.com Integrations

Winner: ClickUp

While monday.com does offer a set of useful native integrations, ClickUp’s broader range and its impressive library of native integrations gives you more options, especially if your team uses a diverse set of tools across different functions.

When it comes to integration, ClickUp has the upper hand with over 1,000+ native and third-party integrations, offering unmatched flexibility for teams looking to connect their favorite tools. ClickUp’s extensive integration library includes popular apps like Slack, GitHub, Zoom, and Google Drive, allowing you to sync everything from task management to communication seamlessly.

Whether you need time tracking, document sharing, or development tools, ClickUp’s integration options cover all the bases, helping you centralize your workflows without jumping between platforms. Plus, with ClickUp’s API, you can build custom integrations tailored specifically to your business needs.

On the other hand, monday.com provides around 200+ integrations with essential apps like Microsoft Teams, Outlook and Mailchimp, making it a solid option for businesses that need simpler setups. While monday.com’s application integration list isn’t as extensive, it shines by offering easy, no-code integration setups, allowing you to connect tools in just a few clicks. This makes monday.com an excellent choice for teams looking to automate workflows without the complexity of technical setups.

One key advantage ClickUp has is the sheer number of native integrations, meaning they are built directly by ClickUp and are optimized for seamless performance. This allows for smoother workflows compared to relying on third-party connectors, which might have limitations or need extra configuration.

ClickUp vs monday.com Scalability

Winner: ClickUp

Although the simplicity of monday.com makes it easier to onboard new teams, you might need to upgrade to the pricier plans as your business grows and requires more advanced functionality, which is why I’d say ClickUp is better for scalability overall.

When it comes to scalability, ClickUp has the edge. Its flexible pricing and extensive feature set make it an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. One of ClickUp’s strongest points is how it grows with your business.

You can start with its free-forever plan and, as your team expands, easily upgrade to plans that offer more advanced features without a significant jump in price. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re a small business or a rapidly growing enterprise, ClickUp can scale without dramatically increasing your costs at any stage.

monday.com, while also scalable, tends to get more expensive as you add users and need access to higher-tier features. It’s great for small to mid-sized businesses looking for an intuitive, easy-to-use platform, but larger businesses or those planning for rapid growth might find the cost increases challenging as they scale.

ClickUp vs monday.com Key Customer Reviews

Both platforms receive generally positive customer reviews, with monday.com praised for visual clarity and ease of use, and ClickUp for its flexibility and generous free plan. However, the softwares’ Trustpilot scores are a little less flattering than I expected.

When evaluating project management tools, it’s essential to consider real user feedback. Both ClickUp and monday.com are generally well reviewed across the web, with users praising their ability to streamline workflows and improve team collaboration.

On the peer-to-peer software review site G2, for example ClickUp currently has a score of 4.7/5 (of 9,886 reviews) and monday.com a score of 4.7/5 (from 12,282 reviews).

However, this positive sentiment isn’t quite reflected in the Trustpilot scores, which seem much lower than I would expect based on my own testing.

ClickUp: 2.7/5 (from 295 reviews), 58% 5-star reviews

Despite the low score, it’s worth noting that comfortably over half of the customer scores here are 5-stars. Many of these positive reviews mention similar aspects of the product, including exceptional customer service and the product being versatile in terms of features.

Really good platform with amazing customer support. ClickUp is so versatile and has so many great features with constant updates.

We can really recommend ClickUp for large task lists, documents, and planning. The customer support is also incredibly good—they reply extremely fast and listen to their users. If a bug is reported, they will fix it within 48 hours.

It’s really nice to see a company putting the customer first.

ClickUp Trustpilot review from October 10, 2024

However, it can’t be ignored that there are also plenty of negative reviews that mention it being too overcomplicated (in line with what I’ve mentioned above regarding customization options being good but possibly overwhelming). They also note that the upselling can come across as quite aggressive, which I can imagine is to try and get people to upgrade beyond the generous free plan.

monday.com: 2.5/5 (from 3,199 reviews), 74% 5-star reviews

Again, it makes sense to me that the majority of scores here are 5-star reviews, based on ym personal experience with the product. Many mention the clean, ituative, easy-to-use interface and UX as being one of its standout features, as I have in my reviews of monday.com in this article.

I recently started using monday.com for managing several complex projects, and it’s truly been a game-changer. The platform’s intuitive interface made it incredibly easy to set up and customize our workflows to fit the unique needs of our team. We can effortlessly track progress, assign tasks, and collaborate in real-time, which has significantly boosted our productivity and efficiency.

monday.com Trustpilot review from June 06, 2024.

However, I won’t gloss over the more negative side of the monday.com Trustpilot reviews. These tend to mention that the platform’s pricing has risen over the years (it is more expensive than ClickUp, as I said) and less-than-helpful customer support in some instances.

ClickUp vs monday: Which One Wins?

In short, both platforms excel in terms of features, customer reviews, and integrations. I found that ClickUp offers more flexibility (customization) and affordable scalability for growing businesses, while monday.com’s simplicity really shines for teams that need an intuitive, easy-to-use tool that’s highly visual and requires little staff training.

Here’s how ClickUp and monday.com compare across key categories:

ClickUp monday.com
Price
Ease of Use
Features
Integrations
Scalability
Customer Reviews
Overall

ClickUp takes the lead in several areas, particularly price and scalability. During my testing, I found its free-forever plan and competitive pricing for paid plans offer exceptional value, especially for growing teams.

ClickUp also stands out with its wide range of integrations — over 1,000 native and third-party options — making it a versatile choice for businesses that rely on multiple tools. I loved how flexible and customizable ClickUp is, which makes it ideal for teams managing complex workflows or planning to scale.

On the other hand, monday.com wins hands down in terms of ease of use. I was impressed by how intuitive and visually clear the platform is, making it incredibly easy to navigate. It’s perfect for teams that want to get started quickly without a steep learning curve.

monday.com is particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized teams looking for a straightforward project management tool that’s easy to adopt. However, I did notice that as teams scale, the cost of its higher-tier plans can become a limiting factor, especially compared to ClickUp’s more affordable pricing options.

ClickUp
monday.com
  • 10+ Project Views
  • Generous Free Plan
  • Powerful Workflow Automation
Methodology

How We Review And Test Project Management Software

We base our recommendations on first-hand testing. All the project management software products we feature, have been tested based on the following criteria.

For more detailed information, feel free to visit our dedicated page on how we review project management software.

  • Features: We ensure the provider offers the basic functionality we’d expect, like task management and scheduling, resource management, built-in communication and collaboration capabilities, and reporting.
  • Integrations: We check what platforms the software supports for integration, looking for common business tools like CRM software, email marketing platforms, and document management tools.
  • Collaboration Capabilities: We assess and test the extent of collaboration on offer, including built-in chat, comment threads, mind mapping, and whiteboard capabilities.
  • Pricing and Scalability: We evaluate the value for money on offer based on the functionality, and we factor in the ease and price of scaling.
  • Customization: We check whether the platform offers things like custom fields, customizable dashboards, reports, and templates to check how easily the platform can be tailored to different businesses.
  • Security: During testing, we note what security measures are in place, including authentication protocols, access controls, data encryption, data backups, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
  • Ease of Use: We assess how easy the platform is to navigate (across mobile and desktop), and we look for things like easy drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Reputation: To add to our own analysis of the tools we review, we also factor in feedback from other users to ensure we offer our readers a complete overview.
  • Support and Training: Some of the best project management tools do have learning curves. As such, we assess the level and quality of support on offer, including any online documentation.

What’s Not Different Between ClickUp and monday.com Project Management Software?

Throughout my testing of ClickUp and monday.com, I’ve highlighted where these platforms differ. But there are also several areas where they’re quite similar in terms of what they offer. Here are three key features that both platforms share:

  • Core Project Management Features: Both ClickUp and monday.com provide robust project management tools that allow you to easily create tasks, assign team members, and track progress with views like Kanban boards and timelines. Whether you’re working with ClickUp or monday.com, you’ll have the essential tools you need to stay on top of your projects and keep your team organized.
  • Collaboration and Communication Tools: Both platforms offer great ways for teams to  collaborate and stay aligned. I could easily comment on tasks, share documents, and assign subtasks in both ClickUp and monday.com. This made communication simple and kept everyone in the loop without the need for endless email threads.
  • AI Automation: Both ClickUp and monday.com have integrated AI-powered automation features that can help streamline repetitive tasks. In ClickUp, I found it easy to set up custom automations using natural language, while monday.com’s AI automations allowed me to categorize tasks, summarize text, and even generate emails automatically. Both platforms save you time by reducing the need for manual updates, allowing your team to focus on what matters most.

How To Choose The Best Project Management System?

Choosing the right project management system can feel overwhelming with so many options out there, but the best choice will ultimately depend on your specific business needs. To make the decision easier, here are some key factors you should consider when selecting the tool that fits your team.

Fit with Your Business Goals

First, ask yourself how well the platform aligns with your business objectives. Does it provide the level of granularity in task and project planning that your team needs? For businesses managing complex workflows, customization is critical. Ensure the tool offers the flexibility to create detailed workflows and adjust processes to suit the unique requirements of your team. This is especially important if your projects vary in scope or involve multiple departments.

Features

Next, ensure the features included in the plan support the needs of your business. Are you looking for task management, time tracking, reporting, or integrations with other tools? If certain features are essential, make sure they are available in the plan you’re considering. Some platforms, like ClickUp, provide extensive features even in their lower-tier plans, while others may limit functionality unless you upgrade.

User Limit

It’s also important to check user limits, especially if you plan on taking advantage of a free plan. Many free tiers restrict the number of users or features available, which might be limiting as your team grows. Be sure to choose a platform that can support your team size now and in the future.

Scalability

Speaking of the future, scalability is a big factor. As your business grows, will the platform scale with you? You don’t want to invest time and effort in setting up a tool only to outgrow it a year later. Look for a system that offers flexible pricing plans and feature expansion as your needs evolve, so you’re not forced to switch to another provider down the line.

Integrations

Another key consideration is how well the tool integrates with the software you’re already using. Whether it’s Slack, Google Drive, or CRM systems, seamless integration is essential for maintaining productivity. Check if the platform supports your current tech stack to avoid manual workarounds that can slow your team down.

Customer Support

Support is another critical area. You’ll want to ensure you can get help when needed, especially if your team runs into issues. Some tools offer different levels of support depending on the plan — free users might only have access to community forums, while paid users may get priority support via live chat or email.

Ease of Use

Finally, ease of use is crucial. A powerful platform is only beneficial if your team can adopt it quickly without a long onboarding process or steep learning curve. Look for a system that balances complexity with a user-centered design, ensuring it supports your workflows without causing unnecessary disruption.

Looking for extensive customization and flexibility? Then try:

Looking for an intuative interface with exceptional user experience (UX)? Then try:

monday.com

FAQs

What’s better, ClickUp or Monday?

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References

Aidan Weeks
Technology Expert
Aidan Weeks
Technology Expert

Aidan Weeks, a Master's graduate in Mechanical Engineering, has thrived as a freelance writer for over three years. Specializing in tech, engineering, and B2B sectors, Aidan adeptly crafts web copy, blog posts, manuals, product pages, and more, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. His transition from academia to full-time writing reflects his passion for bridging technical expertise with clear, informative content.